The aim of some of these apps is to be comprehensive, granting users a range of options for any conceivable category of activity. Others, like Yplan, begun in New York two months ago, aim to fill a specific going-out niche: people with money to spend and a free evening in front of them. It functions as both a listings app and a place to buy tickets.

The app’s interface lists six to 12 events in each of three lists: “today,” “tomorrow” and “later” (which mostly refers to weekend events). Clicking on an event reveals a description, a price and a button to buy tickets. Tickets appear on a separate screen within the app and disappear upon use.

Events listed on Yplan range from concerts and comedy shows to beer tastings and club nights. On a random night, app users might find D.J. Chet Faker at Output, a Williamsburg dance club, or guided Belgian beer tastings at Jimmy’s No. 43 in the East Village, or a meet-the-author event at the Apple Store in SoHo — all for $20 or less.

Admission to events on Yplan tends to cost less than $100, and the app lists many free events, too; a trivia game at a bar was one of the most appealing things listed last week, and reserving a seat cost nothing.

The promoters and venues that Yplan works with will accept tickets displayed on a phone screen. According to the company, 99.5 percent of users will have no trouble with an ornery doorman or an uncooperative ticket machine. If users have a problem, Yplan has a handy contact screen within the app. The company says it has employees on call to fix the problems, although the phone was only answered one of the two times I called to test it.

Yplan encourages users to act impulsively — when a confirmation notice is sent, the app thanks users “for being spontaneous.” It offers an easy way to reserve last-minute tickets. According to the company, Yplan already has almost 100,000 users in New York City. Its mission of convenience over curation has made it a popular app.

Because Yplan makes money by taking a portion of the ticket revenue, it tends to list larger venues that will have no problem sharing a small portion of the admission fee. If you’re looking for an offbeat or kooky experience, the app might not be for you. But if you forgot that your friends were visiting this weekend and you’re looking for something — anything — to entertain them, then you may have found the perfect lifeline.

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APP: Yplan
PLATFORM: Android 2.3.3 or later; iOS 5.0 or later
PRICE: Free

Have a favorite New York City app? Send us a tip by email to appcity@nytimes.com or by Twitter to @Jonesieman.